Will something like a Cadillac mid-engine supercar ever happen? If we’re to read between the lines of the subtle hints and quotes given by the brand’s top executives, it would have to be practically all but official. As to when something like a Cadillac mid-engine supercar will ever happen, well, it certainly won’t be tomorrow. Or a few years from tomorrow. Needless to say, the storied Cadillac brand has a lot more important, volume-oriented models to develop before designers and engineers get around to an Acura NSX and/or Audi-R8-fighting halo car. Crossovers come to mind, as does a true flagship large sedan.
Beyond 2020, when Cadillac is expected to have no less than four crossovers and likely some new passenger car additions such as a sub-ATS model and a flagship above the CT6, is likely when we could see a mid-engine supercar. To help envision what such a machine could look like, we exclusively partnered with RM CarDesign, and borrowed elements from the latest Art & Science design language. Some key elements to point out are the tear-drop LED lights inspired by the 2016 Cadillac CT6, while the monochrome badge on the front grille was inspired by the crest emblems on the sides of every new Cadillac vehicle. The design also incorporates flying buttresses behind the doors for a more aggressive aerodynamic look, while the glass rear window both delivers functional visibility and a showcase to the engine of the vehicle.
We’ll leave what could be powering this mid-engine Cadillac supercar design up to your imagination. Though we envision a revolutionary engine, likely an all-new Cadillac DOHC twin-turbo V8, paired with the most advanced electric hybrid system GM can produce. Of course, that claim is just as speculative as the rendering itself. Let out your thoughts in the comments below.
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The Cadillac ATS starts at $33,000.
When I think mid-engine car, I think Cadillac should go radical. What if their starting car was an ultra-luxury 2-seater? What if it costs $25,999 with a 2.5L 4-cylinder - and went on up from there?
You could even electrify that drivetrain and have a true Tesla Roadster successor.
This is possible, it should happen, but we don't always need to go hypercar. Corvette can have the small block V8, and still leave room for Cadillac to do something truly amazing with mid-engine - that is equally unexpected.
A $26K Cadillac makes no sense. A niche mid-engine Cadillac at $26K makes even less sense.
If it had a drop-top, it would be a Cadillac Miata. Which may actually make a lot of sense. How many people buy a BMW Z for its looks?
You obviously wouldn't stop there... the 2.0T, TTV6, and Cadillac V8 would also be options. It would be a mid-engine two-seater with the same engine options as ATS/CTS/CT6.
I think it's a damn good idea. Plus it would help with CAFE.
"...ultra-luxury....costs $25,999..."
You just don't get it, Chris. When it's priced like a commodity, it's not a luxury. It's not even an "ultra-luxury" if it's priced no better than a mid-range Civic.
You want "ultra-luxury"? Have Cadillac make a 2-seat roadster start at $200K. It won't have any need for the 2.5L at that point, as the public would have much greater expectations of a $200K Cadillac.
The name 'Cadillac' alone reserves an public expectation of the best car available. What good is making an 'ultra-luxury 2 seater' if it's amount of engineering it has is reflected in the off-the shelf engine and the laughable sub-$30K MSRP?
An "ultra luxury" Cadillac should be a much better product than Cadillac has ever made. But a $26K Cadillac makes me think of a well-appointed Spark badge job.
Rip out the back seats, throw the 2.5L block in there, hook it to the rear wheels, cut the roof off, and weld the rear doors shut. Watch out SLC and Z4, Cadillac is back!
Pretty 'radical', isn't it?
Well JDN has made it clear he would love to do a Mid Engine car but he said it as of this year would not happen before 2025.
With that being the case I would suspect the hard lines of the present A&E to have fully evolved over the hard lines here similar to the first gen CTS.
The rendered car looks like leftover Cadillac show car mixed with Audi/Lambo.
It is hard to peg just what we will see by the time one would arrive as we have yet to see the new managements vision of style. I expect some real changes are afoot with the coming cars done under their care.
I would rather see them look to do a smaller BMW like roadster that would be more affordable with a weekend size trunk. Earn the trust of the public with this and then move to bigger game. To just put out a mega buck car with no earning of reputation or trust would be difficult.
I think it would be more fun to do a concept on the new C8. Start with the cockpit as we know the roof shape window already and then move from there. We also know the design direction already at Chevy on the Corvette.
Nothing personal Man. just my take based on what we do know. Please do not take it as anything but just as my take as it is no criticism toward you.
If Caddy does a mid-engine car by 2025, it will be meaningless IMO. Cars are trending toward self-driving by 2020s. Caddy should just release a mid-engine concept at the NY auto show this year/next and then get moving on self-driving concepts like the BMW vision next 100.
The concept of a self-driving vehicle is incompatible with that of a driver-centric sports car. Both have their markets.
Despite all that you read about self driving cars coming, the reality is that we are a long way away from a true self driving car. Google's cars have not yet even been tested in rain let alone snow. This winter I was driving to work in my Buick on a snowy day, and alerts started popping up on my screen due to a skim coat of slush that built up on the front of the car, that my sensor was blocked, automatic crash prep disabled, consult owners manual... To me, it was the proof that we're not as close as all the hype leads us to believe. The adaptive cruise control leaves a lot to be desired as well, often picking up vehicles in the adjacent lanes and slowing down inappropriately.
In the short term, we will be seeing more of the nanny aides and low speed self parking features, but don't bet the farm on cars not having steering wheels by 2025.
If man were meant to fly, god would have given him wings.
Johan said in many interviews that 11 new models not including the CT6 and XT5 have been green lighted and will see the light of day before 2020. What do you guys think they are I can't get past 7. 4 new suv's, new sub ats, new ats, new cts. After that what are rest?
So, you take an Audi R8 and morph it with a Cadillac CTS and you get that. I love the idea of a mid engine Cadillac as it would mean a mid engine Corvette. I am just making a comment on the rendition.
Lol a GM product would never have that much "functional visibility" unless it was designed in germany or japan :p
The rear and flank look like a cadillac branded r8
If it were made in Germany or Japan it would be a Cadillac branded R8 or NSX. If it was built in Detroit, it would be a Cadillac branded Cadillac. All major manufactures, no matter your bias, are capable of producing extremely high quality high end vehicles. Detroit can make just as good of a car as Tokyo or Munich. The quality is only based on, and is a matter of how much money they want to pour into a project. And if the car sold maybe 12,500 units in it's first year, at a list price of $200,000 each, it would more than make back a $1 Billion R&D investment. The problem isn't where it is made, it's where it is sold. Sell it in the US, UK and EU, China, Middle-East, and Russia...and premier it in that order. Plan to sell 5000 in the US to bankers who need to replace their mid-2000's hypercars, 3000 in the UK and EU to speed enthusiasts, 1000 in China to the ultra-wealthy, 2000 in the Middle East to the sons of the royal family and 1500 or so to Russian aristocrats. That's how you make a really great car that makes money.
fugly.
does that mean the the upcoming cars will be delayed till after 2020 ???
So not a fan of this rendering. I think Cadillac should and hopefully will do a mid engine super car. I think it should be in the $500,000 range (in today's dollars) and have the style and substance to,compete in this Catagory.
This rendering is ass ugly although I am in favour of a mid-engined sports car from Cadillac I think given its perception in the market a $200000-$250000 price point is more likely realistic.
This looks pretty good! A mid-engined hypercar would do wonders for the Cadillac brand in raising awareness and appeal!!!